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Tadiuos Manyepo

Sports Reporter

THE Bogwheelers Club, who run the motorcyling sport of motocross in this country, have already applied for the greenlight to kick-start their racing season to the Sports Commission.

Motorsport is one of the sport codes that has been classified by the authorities as low-risk sport which could be held during this period when the world is reeling from the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

However, those sports touted as low-risk, including motor racing, would have to demonstrate how they intend to go ahead in a way that won’t jeopardise the health of participants.

And the Bogwheelers Club chairman Phil dos Santos said they have since applied to the Sports Commission, citing measures they will take to see to it that all their athletes are safe.

“Yes, a greenlight was given to kick-start certain sporting activities including our sport code. So what we have done as a club and sporting community is to apply to the Sports Commission to have written permission,” said dos Santos.

“With this, we have highlighted all safety measures and protocols that will be in place in order to keep all sports participants including parents and children alike as safe as possible. 

“There are laws and guidelines in place and safety of all is of utmost importance.”

Dos Santos said once permission is granted by the country’s supreme sports body, riders will be allowed to conduct practice sessions before the season subsequently starts.

“Once we have official permission, we will start gradually with practice sessions  to help all athletes and competitors get back into a fitness routine.”

With some of the races that had been scheduled for this year already having been washed away in the coronavirus flash floods, dos Santos said they will have to revisit their calendar of events.

Motocross racing could start late next month if their application is approved by the Sports Commission but a number of riders have already welcomed the Government’s decision to let low-risk sport to resume their operations.

Simba Nyamupfukudza, whose two kids, 13-year-old Tadiwanashe and six-year-old Victor, are into motocross yesterday said they just can’t wait to get back on the track.

“My kids were just missing riding on the track as motocross is now in their blood and we are just hoping that the Sports Commission will soon give the Bogwheelers Club the go-ahead for us to resume racing at Donnybrook Raceway which is our second home.

“What we are now waiting to hear is whether this year’s FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations Championship, which this year will be hosted by Uganda, will go ahead as scheduled in August. I’m also preparing to take my kids to Uganda to take part in this continental event,” Nyamupfukudza said.

Brighton “Bucks” Bako, whose 12-year-old kid Emmanuel is also into motocross, said they were already preparing to get back on the racing track at Donnybrook.

“It’s good (news) that motocross is part of the sport codes that have been allowed to resume their operations following the coronavirus-induced lockdown and I think everyone in the local motocross family is now happy that they can get back on the track to showcase their riding skills.

“We are also hoping that racing will also be allowed to resume in South Africa where we were hoping to make a mark in this year’s South African Nationals and regional events in which Emmanuel had done so well at the beginning of the season before the coronavirus outbreak halted sporting events in that country in March,” Bako said.